Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians graduates earn a median $86,525 four years after finishing — $38,165/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. At a typical $16,902/yr net price ($67,608 over four years), that pays back in about 1.8 years. Federal data pools 30 bachelor's programs graduating roughly 1,578 students a year. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians ranks #31 of 202 bachelor's fields by earnings — pays more than 85% of majors.
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Washington University | WA | $97,869 |
| 2 | Columbia Southern University | AL | $94,480 |
| 3 | Eastern Kentucky University | KY | $92,289 |
| 4 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania | PA | $91,742 |
| 5 | Jacksonville State University | AL | $90,850 |
| 6 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania | PA | $90,257 |
| 7 | Keene State College | NH | $87,710 |
| 8 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | PA | $84,783 |
| 9 | University of Central Missouri | MO | $84,738 |
| 10 | Murray State University | KY | $84,705 |
| 11 | Waldorf University | IA | $83,151 |
| 12 | Southeastern Louisiana University | LA | $83,039 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.
How fast does Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians pay grow after graduation?
From $58,781 one year out to $86,525 four years out — a $27,744 climb, or 47% over three years. Both are federal medians of the same graduating cohorts, so the gap reflects real wage progression rather than a change in who is measured.
How many students graduate in Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians each year?
About 1,578 bachelor's graduates a year across 30 programs in the federal file. Cohort size matters when reading the median: a field this size averages across a wide range of employers, regions and job titles.